USF Bulls Scouting Report: Bulls eye going from single Big East win last year to title contention

Chris HaysOrlando Sentinel

Five Bulls chasing glory

QB B.J. Daniels: Daniels can rid himself of the stigma of being the quarterback who came up short of earning a Big East crown.

OL Darrell Williams: Williams has done quite well for himself. He started playing football his sophomore year of high school after his family moved from Jamaica.

WR Chris Dunkley: Dunkley transferred from Florida after his redshirt freshman season, and USF fans are eager to see what the five-star recruit can do.

CB Kayvon Webster: A second-team All-Big East pick, Webster will need to help bolster an inexperienced defensive backfield that was 71st in the county in pass defense last season.

LB DeDe Lattimore: The Bulls' leading tackler last season (94) also had seven sacks. This could be his final year at USF if he decides to head to the NFL.

Hope and Glory: Keys to the season

QB leadership: The pressure is on B.J. Daniels' to show he can lead the Bulls beyond an occasional upset and make USF a legitimate contender for the Big East title.

Secondary development: USF needs two junior college transfers and a first-time starter joining veteran Kayvon Webster to mature quickly. Their play will make or break this defense.

Ground attack: Daniels and the young-but-talented receiving corps will need running backs Demetris Murray and Lindsey Lamar to pick up some of the production lost when Darrell Scott moved on to the NFL.

No Guts, No Glory: Make-it or break-it games

Sept. 13 vs. Rutgers: The Big East title heats up early when Big East co-favorite Rutgers ventures into Raymond James Stadium. The game could have a major impact on the Bulls' entire season.

Sept. 29 vs. Florida State: B.J. Daniels went into his hometown and thrashed the Seminoles in Tallahassee two seasons ago. Can he do it again in Tampa?

Oct. 20 at Louisville: A win over the Cardinals at this point in the season would probably put the Bulls in first place in the Big East standings.

Quest for Glory:

Did you know ...

Orlando's native Mike Pierre is vying for playing time at running back. He played at Agape Christian.

The Bulls have a former sumo wrestler from Russia on the roster. Soslan Gagloev (6-4, 308) transferred from Webber International.

Kicker Maikon Bonani should become the Bulls all-time leading scorer this year.

LB Kawika Mitchell (1999-2002): The former Winter Park Lake Howell star is the Bulls all-time leader in tackles (367). He played for eight seasons in the NFL, earning a Super Bowl ring with the 2007 New York Giants.

DE George Selvie (2006-09): The Bulls only two-time consensus All-America selection is the USF career (29), season (14.5) and single game (4) sacks leader. He opened the preseason on the Jags' roster.

QB Matt Grothe (2006-09): Owns the record for most all-time total offensive yards (10,875) in USF history. He is second all-time in passing yards and third in rushing yards despite having his senior season cut short by injury.

RB Andre Hall (2004-05): Hall is the only two-time 1,000-yard rusher in USF history and is the career rushing leader with 2,731 yards. He played four NFL seasons as a free agent.

DB J.R. Reed (2000-03): USF career leader in interceptions (19) had a school record three picks in one game against Memphis. Reed was drafted by the Eagles and played five NFL seasons.